The attention of the Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria has been drawn to plan by terrorists to marry off the youngest victim of abducted Kaduna train passengers, 21-year-old Azurfa Lois John.
A member of the negotiating team, Tukur Mamu revealed the plan on Friday.
He said any moment from now, just as they did in the case of Leah Sharibu in Yobe state some years ago they plan to marry her off.
21-year-old Azurfa Lois John,a 300-level student of the Kaduna State University and her cousin, Peace Aboi, 28, were among passengers kidnapped by terrorists who attacked the Kaduna bound AK9 train on March 28, 2022.
Peace was later released alongside eleven other hostages.
According to Mamu, one of the top commanders of the terrorists is said to be in love with Ms John.
He however pled with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts towards the release of the other 23 victims still with the terrorists whose health conditions, he said, is pathetic and require urgent medical attention.
Mamu also called on CAN not to politicize the issue or reduce it to mere press releases, but to work closely with relevant authorities to engage the abductors on the case of Ms John before it is late.
“This is to alert the federal government and especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that I can confirm through credible information at my disposal that if urgent action is not taken to immediately secure the release of the youngest victim of the train attack, a 21-year-old Azurfa Lois John, the abductors as they have done in the case of Leah Sharibu are planning to marry her any moment from now. One of the top commanders is said to be in love with her,” Mamu said.
“This important information should be treated with the urgency it deserves. Even though I know that releasing this information will not only unsettle her immediate family and loved ones but Nigerians as a whole, it is necessary to do so to avoid a repeat of Leah Sharibu’s case.
“I advise CAN in particular not to politicise this issue or reduce it to mere press releases as I have seen in the past but to work closely with relevant authorities to engage the abductors on case as soon as possible before it is late
“I pray that in view of the uncertainties which are becoming alarming, the federal government will also act very fast to ensure the release of all the remaining victims,” he added.
